Shark-Cast

Colin Speedie is a well respected name in basking shark circles. With him conducting the bulk of early basking shark surveys around the west coast, laying groundwork for the modern scientific survey and ultimately the first marine protected area (MPA) in the world for basking sharks.  Colin is also the founder of WISE, the training scheme for education on behaviour around marine wildlife. Along with being the author of A Sea Monsters Tale, a highly recommended read on basking sharks.  We talk to him about the highs and lows of basking shark surveys, what he found and of course what was his best bit was. This is a two part podcast with the second part leading into his research into basking shark hunting.

Our previous head guide and all round man machine Luke, returns to Scotland for a Christmas break from his overseas job. We say job but it doesn't sound like a job to us! DISCLAIMER - if you are really down about the UK weather at the moment do not listen to this!!!!  After 6 seasons with us as head guide he scored a ridiculous job based out of the Seychelles and has been travelling the world filming amazing animals. Although he has experienced everything from sperm whales, white sharks to exploring Antarctica, he still has a big soft spot for the Hebrides! We are super proud of what he's been doing but also a tad jealous. Listen in to hear about some of his adventures around the big blue planet! 

Well....10 years later we're still here and heading towards our 11th season! There are certainly a few more grey hairs and wrinkles but it's nice to reflect back on all the adventures. Nikki & Shane join Rachel to chat about BSS beginnings then we catch up with Dr Inga Dehnet & Luke Saddler two of our previous long term staff to find out about their favourite memories and what they are doing now! We were hoping to grab a few more people together but we didn't want to make the episode too long and the Coastal boys are under the pump just now so we'll chat to them closer to the spring for maybe a boat breaking episode! ha!

How do you collect basking shark DNA!? In this episode we speak to Les Noble about his long term study into basking shark genetics.  Modern DNA techniques are revealing amazing information about basking sharks, how they are related and their migration patterns.  During our tours we have been collecting slime samples for Les and his team to help with the study. This is a fascinating and exciting discussion into this ground breaking basking shark research. How related are basking sharks within a group? Do basking sharks return to the same area every year? Does this research highlight the vulnerability of basking shark to local exploitation. Listen in and also hear about the basking shark named Geri Halliwell! 

Following on from our blog post and youtube video on the subject. We've recorded a podcast chatting about the same subject! Join us for a whistlestop worldwide basking shark tour discussing how the name came about, how the English name is different to everywhere else. How far down the rabbit hole of names, human and natural history go!? Should we start a petition to change the name, since it was based on wrong assumptions? If so what would you call it?? Should the public be trusted not to vote Sharky McSharkFace!?

Today is the first World Basking Shark Day!  Rachel and Shane talk about their favourite basking shark facts along with some of your best facts & experiences. They discuss some of the highlights from our 2022 basking shark season, the great news about additional basking shark protection in Ireland and some of our previous research. Have a listen and join in with us to celebrate all things basking sharks on world basking shark day using #worldbaskingsharkday!

In this episode Rachel & Shane discuss all the questions sent in by our audience. Including some of the following; Where do basking sharks migrate too? How many basking sharks are in the UK? What's the best time of year to see basking sharks? How long do basking sharks live for? Where do basking sharks gives birth? Why do basking sharks breach? Are there any known cases of basking sharks being predated by white sharks or orca? Do basking shark smile? and...........thanks to Jack- who would win in a fight, a whale shark or a basking shark Some of the questions you always want to know and some you never wanted to know! Look out for our next episode in the coming months!

In this episode Rachel & Shane have a chat about filter feeding sharks (planktivoires) e.g basking sharks, whale sharks, mega mouths, mantas etc. A quick delve into lots of questions about basking shark food, where they go in the winter, what do basking sharks eat in the winter. We also touch on some of our previous research on marine plastics around basking shark feeding areas.  Then we have a catch up with guide Lois who is working this winter in the Maldives with the Manta trust. She's having lots of fun in the sun, essentially guiding trips out to see the big flap flaps whilst collecting scientific data. The best part about her job is sending these rest of the basking shark crew pictures of white sands and sunshine on our whatsapp group!!! haha!

In this episode we chat with the archaeological (Clare Henderson) and wildlife (Craig Nisbet) rangers of St Kilda, the island group which sits 100 miles away from mainland Scotland.  This rugged and isolated location has both an amazing human history along with extraordinary wildlife. It's home to a million sea birds, the highest sea cliffs & sea stacks in the UK along with being a duel UNESCO world heritage site. The island archipelago sits right out in the North Atlantic so has a well respected reputation for fearsome weather, but it's location also means it's a magnet for a whole range of wildlife above and below the waves.  Clare & Craig give us a glimpse into their lives on the island as they spend a summer season based out there. Tales of snedge the snowy owl, living in the luxury of the manse, commuting to work by helicopter, wild swimming, seabird surveys, weather, human history, penguins and of course the basking sharks, and specially the baby shark that was seen this summer past! It's a dream location to visit and one which is a difficult one to undertake with all the conditions required to come together. We are hoping to visit in May during a week based on Barra. Fancy joining us for a wild adventure!  Check out our trip here. For more information on the islands check out the NTS website here (National Trust for Scotland).

After a long break we return with a very funny episode! Guides Jack & Isla join ops manager Rachel & owner Shane to review the best bits of the 2022 basking shark season. Hear about some of the funny tales of our summer on the Hebridean island of Coll. How did the girls get jack to leave the toilet, did Shane ever get his wedding ring back. How good was that experience with John Coe the orca! 

Welcome back to shark-cast, coming to you from the Basking Shark Scotland headquarters in Oban, Scotland. On this week's episode Shane and Luke have a good old reminisce about some of the highlights from trips in years past. If you have any questions or ideas for future pods, just drop us an email! info@baskinghsarkscotland.co.uk 

Our first Episode! On this episode we introduce the team, talk about our recent trip to Norway to swim with orca and also discuss the basking shark's new classification as 'endangered' by the IUCN.